The Best Moisturisers for Acne-Prone Skin

What to Look for in a Moisturiser if you Have Acne?

The main reason your skincare routine is breaking you out is because it contains comedogenic ingredients or ingredients known to aggravate acne. These are the first things to check before buying a face cream. Ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and beeswax are common pore-clogging ingredients but there are some less well-known ones so use an ingredient checker to double check that your product is acne-safe.

Secondarily, you should look for ingredients known to balance skin and fight breakouts.

The Best Moisturiser Ingredients for Acne-Prone Skin

We’ve touched on some of the ingredients to avoid if you have acne-prone skin but here are some of the best things to include in your skincare routine if you struggle with blemishes.

• Salicylic acid: an essential part of any skincare routine for acne. It helps manage excess oil production, unclogs pores, refines skin texture and reduces the chances of a breakout by killing unwanted bacteria.
• Mandelic acid: similar to salicylic acid, this ingredient helps manage oil production and refines skin texture. It’s gentler and less drying than salicylic acid so can be preferable for those with dehydrated, oily complexions.
• Azelaic acid: this skincare acid has multiple benefits, including refining skin texture, unclogging pores and supporting the skin’s moisture barrier. It also reduces redness and irritation. Lactic acid also has a similar effect.
• Benzoyl peroxide: This hero ingredient in anti-acne skincare fights the acne-causing bacteria, preventing new breakouts and healing current spots.
• Tea tree oil: this potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient is helpful for calming breakouts, healing blemishes and preventing future acne flare-ups.
• Adapalene or retinol: retinoids are powerful resurfacing agents which renew skin, fading acne scars and pigmentation. Adapalene is a gentler form known to treat recurrent acne.
• Niacinamide: this versatile ingredient helps brighten the complexion, fade scars and marks, refine pores, manage excess oil production and smooth skin over time.
• Jojoba oil: this oil has soothing and softening properties which are great for those with drier skin or uneven texture. It’s also non-comedogenic which makes it ideal for acne or clog-prone skin.
• Aloe vera: soothing aloe vera is a great addition to any anti-acne routine as it counteracts the irritation and dryness caused by acne-treatment products. It’s also non-comedogenic and naturally-derived.
• Green tea extract: this underrated ingredient soothes, reduces inflammation and fights acne-causing bacteria.
• Centella: an acne-safe skin-soothing ingredient, ideal for calming redness and aggressive breakouts.
• Colloidal oatmeal (for dry and sensitive skin): if you have very dry, irritable skin, oat kernel extract is a very soothing and hydrating ingredient which is naturally non-comedogenic.
• Rosehip: another natural skincare hero that helps to refine skin texture and fade acne scars. It also has soothing, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it a fantastic addition to your everyday skincare regime.
• Vitamin C: not commonly associated with anti-acne skincare, vitamin C helps to heal the skin. It also helps fade pigmentation and dark spots over time.

Which are the Best Products for Acne-Prone Skin?

We outline some of our favourite moisturisers that happen to be acne-safe and non-comedogenic. Some of our selections have been formulated specifically to help treat adult acne. Meanwhile, others are just wonderfully-textured moisturisers that leave all skin types radiant and feeling refreshed without breaking out.

Which is the best lightweight moisturiser for oily skin?

Good moisturiser for dry, acne-prone skin

We normally associate acne with oily skin types but often, acne-prone skin is dehydrated due to acne treatment products. However, sometimes, oily skin can be a sign of dehydration – your skin produces excess sebum to counteract the dryness. If this sounds like you, prioritise hydration and step back from your overly drying acne treatment. Here’s our favourite moisturiser for dry skin.

The Best Anti-Acne Moisturiser for Your Skin Type

Best for Active Acne Treatment:

The IMAGE Clear Cell Clarifying Repair Cream is the most effective cream for treating active acne, preventing its recurrence and fading acne scars over time. It contains known anti-acne ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, as well as barrier supporting actives (e.g., ceramides) and soothing agents (cucumber extract).

Best for Balancing Oil Control and Hydration:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M or Effaclar K (+) – both are great for oily and acne-prone skin, offering gentle exfoliation and oil control. They combine mattifying ingredients with salicylic acid for a gentle clarifying effect without drying the skin.

Best for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin Needing Hydration:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome is a good choice if your skin is irritated from acne treatments. However, if you have dry acne-prone skin, the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion deeply repairs stressed skin without clogging pores or worsening acne – what's more, you also benefit from high-protection sunscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I skip moisturiser if I have acne-prone skin?

It can be very tempting to forego a moisturiser if you have oily or acne-prone skin because they can sometimes make your acne worse. However, the typical culprit is a pore-clogging ingredient, not moisturisers in general. Avoiding a moisturiser can leave your skin dehydrated, especially if you’re using acne treatments or surfactants (oil-stripping cleansers). Instead of skipping your moisturiser, choose one that is lightweight, acne-safe and doesn’t clog pores.

Is CeraVe moisturiser good for acne-prone skin?

Most CeraVe moisturisers are non-comedogenic, which makes them suitable for oily and acne-prone skin. However, La Roche Posay moisturisers are specially formulated for treating and hydrating acne-prone skin.